T hey say it’s not over with until it’s over with. Dec. 20 was the last day for deer hunting of any kind in our region. Northern zone was disgusting and the southern zone wasn’t very far behind it. The lack of beechnuts and acorns contributed greatly in most area, but where did the deer go to get feed in other areas? All areas took a hit when it comes to how many deer were harvested. A hunter who didn’t get a deer this year has got to blame it on something, might just as well be the lack of the food chain.

Here it is the middle of December and no ice yet for the ice fishermen. As I’m writing this its 47 degrees out on Dec. 14 and its calling for rain, not snow tonight. Must be a lot of truth to that global warming. Remember when I was a kid (God forbid) we were ice fishing on Thanksgiving vacation. Yup, there was even fish there to catch too.

Did you know that target shooting recently reached an all time high with 34.4 million participants; that a decades long decline in hunting sale has ceased; that two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Heller and McDonald) reaffirmed the individual right to keep and bare arms; that industries largest sale surge ever starting in 2008, preserved jobs during a difficult economic period; that Wisconsin in 2011 became the 49th state to allow concealed carry, leaving Illinois alone in denying that right to citizen; and that a Gallup poll last month showed only 26 percent of Americans favored a legal ban on the possession of handguns, the lowest level of public support for gun control ever.

Wow, I’m just loaded with information.

Newly elected officials for the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen Club are: President Rick Vladyka, Vice President Dave McDonald, Secretary Bob Henke, and Treasurer Pete Almer. All good people representing you sportsmen and women.

Adirondack Conservation Council which takes in all of Region 5 consisting of seven counties had there elections also: President Gene Terry, Vice President Jim Monroe, Secretary Rick Hagg and Treasurer Kevin Hart. The meeting was held last week at the Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club.

Christmas is just around the corner. Don’t forget dad that favorite rifle he’s been talking about and mom could sure use a new dish washer. Yes, she sure would like that, but don’t tell her I suggested it.

Happy Holidays fromDixieand I and all the staff at the Whitehall Times. Have a great Christmas and New Year.